The Lightning will face the Canadiens in the first round of the playoffs

We now know who the Canadiens will face in the first round of the playoffs.

It will be the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The matchup was made official following the Buffalo Sabres' victory on Monday night, which secured their title as Atlantic Division champions.

THE @BUFFALOSABRES HAVE CLINCHED THE ATLANTIC DIVISION TITLE!

: The #StanleyCup Playoffs begin April 18 on @espn, @NHL_On_TNT, @Sportsnet, & @TVASports pic.twitter.com/8MmWOH0fWm

— NHL (@NHL) April 14, 2026

The Canadiens can still hope to secure home-ice advantage in their series against the Lightning if the stars align.

More details to come.

Overtime

This will be the first series between the two teams since the 2021 Stanley Cup Final. The Lightning won that series easily in five games.

Montreal will certainly be looking to do better.